Saltillo narcotics investigation nets 3 arrests, 1 stolen shotgun

An investigation into suspected narcotic activity in Saltillo led to the arrest of three men on possession charges Wednesday morning.

Members of the Criminal Investigations Division of the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office received information about suspected narcotic activity in Saltillo and began an investigation.

Ryan Albert Shores, 26, was arrested at his Saltillo residence at 9:22 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance after investigators reportedly located used syringes and a metal spoon containing methamphetamine residue. Shores claimed ownership of the narcotics and was taken into custody.

At another location approximately 5 miles away, investigators arrested Robert Earl Smith, 55, at a residence at 9:33 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of possession of 1-4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone (within 1,000 feet of the Saltillo school). Investigators made contact with an occupant of the residence, who reportedly invited them in and gave consent for a search and denied any knowledge of narcotics. Investigators reportedly located suspected methamphetamine in several locations inside the residence, and Smith was taken into custody.

A third man, Ray Griffith, 66, was also arrested at that same location. Investigators were reportedly invited into the residence by an occupant and escorted to Griffith’s bedroom. Griffith was reportedly observed throwing a glass pipe commonly used to smoke methamphetamine and a plastic wrapper into a trash can. He reportedly gave consent for a search of the room. The plastic wrapper reportedly contained .036 grams of methamphetamine. Investigators also located a shotgun, which was confirmed stolen, beside Griffith on the bed. Griffith was charged with possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone, tampering with evidence with intent to impair an investigation and theft of a firearm.

Shores’ bond was set at $20,000, Smith’s at $10,000 and no bond was set for Griffith. All three men remained in jail Thursday.